Argentina sneak a win against Wales

Patagonian Pumas hold on for a good win

Argentina recorded a narrow 27-25 win over Wales at Estadio Raúl Conti, in Puerto Madryn, Chubut, on Sunday.  But the first-ever Test in Patagonia was a drab affair with far more penalties, yellow cards and handling errors than any real constructive rugby.

It was different in Puerto Madryn near the sea.  It was a match with a different feel.  It was a humble ground -- no great stands, a fence about it and a request to the spectators to shift up closer so that more people could get in.

The people behind the fence whistled disapproval as if in a lunatic aviary, and there were cow-like noises from time to time and then singing and bobbing.  But then the rugby was not all that entertaining.

The field itself was different -- narrower than usual, which did not make for expansive rugby.  And narrower than it need be -- for there was a broad surrounding available on either side.  It was also ungenerous with its in-goal, which caused momentary damage to Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe -- whose head hit the hoardings just behind the dead-ball area when he scored a try ... a touch-and-go try.

Oh, there were some exciting moments, provided mostly by Wales, as the Argentinians decided beef was their most important asset.  At fly-half they had Federico Todeschini who kicked immaculately at goal.  But for the rest he was uncreative and unambitious, as he kept the seat warm for Felipe Contepomi -- who is due back from his medical exams in time for the second Test of the series.

The Pumas were better at scrummaging and bashing, but the inspiration came from Wales.  It was three tries-all at the end, but Wales's tries and some other bits of their play had style that the Argentinian tries lacked, even the one by replacement Federico Leonelli from a tighthead at a scrum and some close-quarter inter-passing.

In the end Wales paid a dear price for their first-half indiscipline, which produced several penalties and 13 points while men sat in the sin bin.

It was a match of many penalties -- 10-7 to Argentina in the first half and 6-2 to Wales in the second.  Most of the infringements were, inevitably, at the tackle, but there were also cantankerous moments.

The match started with lots of profitable activity -- three tries in eleven minutes then it fell apart into niggles with many warnings, cautioning, admonishings and debatings from the referee and eventually yellow cards for two Welshmen -- which reduced them to 13 men and cost them 13 points.

That was not bright.

Argentina also lost the cantankerous Rodrigo Roncero to the sin-bin in the second half, an absence not as expensive as those of Gavin Thomas and Alix Popham had been in the first half.

Wales scored first.  They attacked, the Pumas went off-side and Mike Phillips tapped within the shadow of the Pumas' posts.  Nicky Robinson threw a long skip pass to wing Mark Jones, who had little trouble scoring.  5-0.  Nicky Robinson missed the conversion and later missed a penalty in each half, expensive in a two-point defeat.

The Pumas struck back from the kick-off.  Juan Manuel Leguizamon charged down an attempted clearance from Phillips and gathered the ball.  He tried to pass infield, but the ball came off Phillips and back into the Welsh in-goal racing for the dead-ball line with flank Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe hurtling after the ball.

He dived and the referee awarded the try.  Many referees would have made a referral to the television match official, but the referee was next to Fernández Lobbe and took the responsibility on himself.  Todeschini converted from far out on his right.  In going for the ball Fernández Lobbe was hurt, as he hurtled into the hoardings.

That made it 7-5 after seven minutes, and four minutes later there was another try.  This one had jam on it.

The Pumas were attacking inside the Welsh half, going right, when Agustín Pichot passed straight to rangy lock Ian Evans, and the new cap set off galloping straight down the middle of the field, the empty middle of the field, off to the posts with lots of glee at scoring a try, which Nicky Robinson converted.  12-7.

It appeared that it would be a high-scoring match.  The appearance was deceptive as much of the rest of the match was a slow war of attrition.

There was a fairly innocent-looking line-out just inside the Welsh half that had dire consequences for the Welsh.  Gavin Thomas got the ball, but the referee decided that all was not innocent and awarded a free kick to the Pumas.  Thomas lay on the ground with the ball.  The Pumas wanted it to play quickly, but Thomas continued to nestle the ball.  He got a yellow card and the free kick became a penalty, which Todeschini swung over the posts to make the score 12-10.

The Pumas got close but, Ignacio Fernández Lobbe was penalised for crawling.  Wales got out of gaol, but not entirely as Popham was penalised twice in a short space of time --firstly for thundering into Mario Ledesma when the sturdy hooker did not have the ball and then for collapsing a maul which the Pumas had working.  That brought Wales to 13 men.

With Popham and Thomas off, the Pumas opted for a five-metre scrum instead of an easy penalty.  Wales put a back into the pack to try to shore it up but the Pumas did not go for the push-over.  Instead they played to the right wing where José María Nuñez Piossek dived over for a try in the corner -- again converted by Todeschini, and the Pumas led 17-12.

The Pumas were not done.  On half-time Wales were penalised again and Todeschini goaled again to make the score 20-12 at the break.

When Matthew Watkins was helped off injured, he was replaced by young James Hook of great promise, his first cap for Wales.

Any electricity in the match came in this half and was Welsh-engineered.  Shane Williams had two great runs out of defence though the moves were scuppered by reluctance to pass.  On one occasion Popham was clear on the left but Mark Jones ignored his presence entirely.

Nicky Robinson goaled one penalty and then, when Roncero was yellow-carded, a second to make the score 20-18.  This was a period of Welsh dominance, their best passage of play in the match, but the Pumas then came back strongly.

They drove off a five-metre scrum and got close to the line but instead of looking for a try they got Todeschini to drop for goal.  He scooped a drop from straight in front and close in, what little boys used to call baby-line because even little boys could kick it over from there -- and he missed!

Shane Williams went on a crafty run again, but died with the ball, and the Pumas came back.

Their try started at a Welsh scrum.  Phillips -- who was big and strong but not perhaps as nimble as a day of scruffy ball required -- fed the scrum and the Pumas won a tighthead with sheer power.

That set off a hectic attack with sharp inter-passing involving above all Gonzalo Longo and Lucas Borges.  A pass from Borges sent replacement Leonelli over for a try, which Todeschini inevitably converted.  27-18 and the match looked safe.  But there were still eight minutes to play.

The Pumas came back onto the attack with Ledesma leading the charge, but suddenly light burst into the game as Jamie Robinson broke out of his own 22.

He had a player on each side and he raced downfield.  He chose Hook on his inside and the tall centre kept on running.  Leonelli grasped at him and rugged at him but eventually the young player broke free in time to drop over the Puma line in front of their posts.  Nicky Robinson converted.  27-25 with three minutes to play.

The Pumas kept a stranglehold on the three minutes and when Wales were penalised in a position where Todeschini would certainly have goaled, Pichot decided to hoof the ball into touch and the whistle went -- Argentina had held on for a famous win.

Man of the Match:  Shane Williams was electric and Jamie Robinson was profitably electric, Ian Jones was good at getting the ball out of the air and scored a fun try and Lee Byrne was perhaps the best of all the Welsh with a grand performance in defence and attack.  For the Pumas, cool Juan Martín Hernández, busy Juan Manuel Leguizamon, and aggressive Ignacio Fernández Lobbe were effective but our man of the match is Mario Ledesma, the sturdy hooker who threw in immaculately, scrummaged powerfully and added strength to the loose.

Moment of the Match:  For the sheer joy of it, Ian Evans's try.

Villain of the Match:  The three-card tricksters -- Gavin Thomas, Alix Popham and Rodrigo Roncero.  If we had to vote for one it would go to Roncero.

The scorers:

For Argentina:
Tries:  J-M Lobbe, Piossek, Leonelli
Cons:  Todeschini 3
Pens:  Todeschini 2

For Wales:
Tries:  M Jones, Evans, Hook
Cons:  N Robinson 2
Pens:  N Robinson 2

Yellow cards:  Gavin Thomas (Wales, 30), Alix Popham (Wales, 38), Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina, 60)

Teams:

Argentina:  15 Juan Martín Hernández, 14 José María Nuñez Piossek, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Rafael Carballo, 11 Lucas Borges, 10 Federico Todeschini, 9 Agustín Pichot (captain), 8 Gonzalo Longo, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 5 Rimas Álvarez Kairelis, 4 Ignacio Fernández Lobbe, 3 Martín Scelzo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero
Replacements:  16 Marcos Ayerza, 17 Pablo Gambarini, 18 Santiago Sanz, 19 Martín Schuterman, 20 Nicolás Fernández Miranda, 21 Francisco Leonelli, 22 Federico Serra

Wales:  15 Lee Byrne, 14 Mark Jones, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Matthew Watkins, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Alix Popham, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Alun Wyn Jones, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Duncan Jones (captain).
Replacements:  16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Rhys Thomas, 18 John Yapp, 19 Gareth Delve, 20 Andy Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Chris Czekaj.

Referee:  Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges:  Dave Pearson (England), Eric Darrière (France)
Television match official:  Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Assessor:  Frans Muller (South Africa)

Fijians taken out by Tonga in Gosford

Unbeaten Junior ABs await unbeaten Tongans

Tonga remain in contention for the IRB Pacific Five Nations spoils after recording a tense 24-23 victory over Fiji in Australia on Saturday.

Having handing Japan a emphatic 57-16 defeat in Fukuoka last weekend Tonga come from behind to beat the fancied Fijians in a thrilling match in Gosford.

Trailing 17-23 with just five minutes to go, the game appeared to have slipped away from Tonga.

However, in cold and wet conditions the home side rallied one last time before replacement hooker Aleki Lutui crashed over out wide for a try that brought Tonga back to within one point, much to the approval of the 3,582 crowd.  Pierre Hola's conversion sealed victory for the Tongans.

Neither side allowed the damp conditions to stifle their attacking play with both sets of backs creating opportunities.  However, it was the Tongans, with their powerful forward pack and intelligent kicking game, who settled first with Hola slotting over a drop-goal just three minutes into the match.

Seremia Bai levelled the scores with a penalty before Fiji forged into the lead after a typically flamboyant back move, started deep inside their own half, was rounded off by Kameli Ratuvou underneath the posts.  Bai converted and then added a penalty shortly afterwards to open up a 13-3 lead for the visitors.

Tonga, enjoying the better of the forward exchanges, hit back with two minutes to go until the interval with centre Suka Hufanga capitalising on turn over ball inside the Fijian half.  Hola's conversion reduced the deficit to just three points at half time.

Tonga regained the lead early in the second half after Hola's accurate cross-field kick was gathered in the in-goal area by Saracens wing Tevita Vaikona for a well-finished score.  Hola's conversion gave the home side a deserved 17-13 lead.

Both coaches made a plethora of substitutions as the game entered the final quarter, and it was Fiji, who were quick to adjust to the changes, who struck with a well-executed try by flying Sevens star Mosese Leveitasu.

Bai's conversion, followed by a penalty in the 69th minute seemed to have wrapped up the victory for the visitors, before Latui's try and Hola's conversion secured Tonga's first victory over Fiji since 2003.

The result sets up a mouth-watering Round Three clash against the only other undefeated team in the competition, the Junior All Blacks in New Plymouth on Saturday in the first of a double-header at the Yarrows Stadium as Japan take on the Samoa.

The scorers:

For Tonga:
Tries:  Hufanga, Vaikona, Latui
Cons:  Hola 3
Drop:  Hola

For Fiji:
Tries:  Ratuvou, Leveitasu
Con:  Bai 2
Pen:  Bai 3

Australia monster England in Sydney

Rodzilla scores on debut

Australia got their 2006 test season off to the perfect start, when they monstered the new-look England team -- recording an emphatic 34-3 win at the Telstra Stadium, in Sydney, on Sunday.  The Wallabies outscored their rival by three tries to none in this Cook Cup encounter.

Despite England dominating possession for large periods of the game, often building and taking the ball through numerous phases (as many as 19 phases on one occasion), it was the Wallabies who tackled the English into submission and then struck in the final 10 minutes with two tries to ram home the advantage.

The field was heavy after the heavy rains, and the game was ponderous, compounded by poor handling -- perhaps the leaden feet made for brittle hands -- the continuing nuisance of Australian scrums and unsure line-outs.

The scrums were a talking point before the match but coach John Connolly believed that his new, young front row was good enough to take the Wallabies to the next Rugby World Cup.  Australia's three scrums in the first half produced three resets and a free-kick.  England had six scrums -- which yielded three resets and two penalties to England.  That is drabness beyond what the watching public deserves.

In the first half there were two free-kicks and two penalties at line-outs.  In addition England lost two throws.  That also does not make for confident rugby.

The goal-kicking in the first half was also not great.  Stirling Mortlock missed two for penalty kicks for Australia which he would have considered comfortable, and Olly Barkley missed a sitter for England.

It took 54 minutes for a try to be scored and soon there were three -- none, obviously, to England who did not look like scoring a try but for one moment when the television match official decided that he could not be sure that a try had been scored when it seemed highly unlikely that a try had not been scored.

That happened when Australia were leading 6-0 and England attacked, using two grubbers behind the flat Wallaby backs.  Mike Catt got the first one and headed for the Australian line.  Back the ball came to England and Iain Balshaw got the bouncing ball but George Gregan grabbed Balshaw and rolled him over in the dead-ball zone.

The TMO's decision left Balshaw perplexed and he looked on as the five-metre scrum to England formed.  The set-piece produced a penalty for England, the second at a scrum against Greg Holmes, but Barkley missed the easy kick.

Two kicks in the teeth for the tourists in two minutes -- it hurt.

England had a lot of possession and did so well in keeping it through a multitude of phases.  The phases were multitudinous but did nothing to get England going forward.

Peter Richards used England's scrum pressure to create a possible chance for England to score but instead they settled into phases and went further and further backs.  Phases did not improve latitude.

The one exception at phase time was captain Pat Sanderson who always seemed to be able to go forward.

England had the first moment of distant likelihood when Balshaw produced an overlap for new man Tom Varndell but the speedster opted to grubber ahead and the ball ricocheted of Chris Latham.

The Leicester Tigers star had another great moment in the half when he scooted around Lote Tuqiri chipped.

But he looked green at this level -- he had one ghastly moment when England ran out of their 22 and gave Varndell an overlap on the left wing with Tom Voyce outside him, but the pass which Varndell heaved over Voyce's head and into touch looked the effort of a man who had never passed before.

After Mortlock had missed a straight kick from 38 metres out he goaled a straightforward one when England were penalised for holding on as an attempt at a rolling maul failed.

Straight from the kick-off the Wallabies had their first promising moment when George Gregan beat Voyce who was chasing the kick-off and charged downfield before giving to Mortlock who raced to the England 22.

When England went off-side late in the half, Mortlock had an easy goal.  6-0.

It was after this that Balshaw came within millimetres of not being allowed a try.

From a go-forward scrum Sanderson strode away for England with a man to his right but instead made a mess of a floating attempt to find Varndell who was a long, long way from him on his right.

Australia had a go down the right but Mat Rogers knocked on about six metres from the goal-line, and the half ended when Mortlock goaled a third penalty.

Another good run by Sanderson off a good scrum was promising and England got onto the attack, Barkley goaling a penalty.

Unusually, England tried running in their own 22 but three Wallabies jumped Barley who held on and was penalised.  Mortlock made the score 12-3.

Six minutes later the try came.  It came as great relief for it seemed that one would never come and when it came it was so worth waiting for -- a delicious, breath-taking moment.

From a line-out on their left the Wallabies went right in orthodox fashion until suddenly Latham cut through off a little give from Mortlock.  He swept past Richards and away from Varndell, did a bit of pre-try celebrating and was over at the posts, to the glee of his team-mates.

That try decided the outcome which had already had a look of inevitability.

At this stage and from now on both sides were giving players chances to get caps.

At one stage England excelled in winning phases which had nothing to do with scoring points until Catt capitulated with a grubber.  There was no way through the Wallaby defence.

With 12 minutes to go, Mortlock goaled a penalty when Mathew Tait was penalised for diving at a tackle area and a while later replacement Clyde Rathbone made the break of the match.

He took an inside pass as Australia looked to move from their own 22, and raced downfield.  Tackled on the England 22, he tried to get the ball back to Mark Gerrard.  The right wing now playing fullback footed a wayward ball across the England posts until he was able to gather its low bounce and sprawl over for a try, which Mortlock converted -- 29-3 with seven minutes left.

There was time for one more pleasing try, started by the forwards and finished by the biggest of them all.

The locals moved right with Nathan Sharpe and replacement Jeremy Paul to the fore and then went far left where Phil Waugh charged and then sent a long pass to massive Rodney Blake.  The huge new cap pulled the ball in from behind him and bulldozed his 131kg through Tait for a try.

The English lay about the field as Australians celebrated wildly.  Three years on and the boot was most assuredly on the other foot.

Man of the Match:  Pat Sanderson was good for England and Julian White scrummaged to good effect.  For the Wallabies, veterans Chris Latham and George Gregan were effective.  Rocky Elsom, playing No.8, had an excellent game and so did the youngest veteran of them all, the ubiquitous George Smith, our man of the match.

Moment of the Match:  The try from Chris Latham, although all three touch-downs had class.  But the Latham try was just such sweet relief!

Villain of the Match:  All good clean fun -- not unless you want to be smart and nominate the Wallaby front row for their nuisance effect.

The scorers:

For Australia:
Tries:  Latham, Gerrard, Blake
Cons:  Mortlock 2
Pens:  Mortlock 5

For England:
Pen:  Barkley

Teams:

Australia:  15 Chris Latham, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Mat Rogers, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Stephen Larkham, 9 George Gregan (captain), 8 Rocky Elsom, 7 George Smith, 6 Daniel Heenan, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements:  16 Jeremy Paul, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Clyde Rathbone, 22 Cameron Shepherd.

England:  15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Mike Catt, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Olly Barkley, 9 Peter Richards, 8 Pat Sanderson, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Magnus Lund, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Julian White, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Graham Rowntree.
Replacements:  16 George Chuter, 17 Tim Payne, 18 Chris Jones, 19 Joe Worsley, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Jamie Noon.

Referee:  Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges:  Steve Walsh (New Zealand), Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Television match official:  Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assessor:  Bob Francis (New Zealand)

Italy notch up fifty points in Tokyo

Japan slump to another heavy defeat

Italy opened their two-Test tour of the Pacific with an emphatic 52-6 victory over Japan in Tokyo on Sunday, running seven tries past the flat-footed Brave Blossoms at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

After Japan had opened the scoring in the first minute through a penalty by Shotaro Onishi, Italy took control of the game.  Their scoring started with a try by New Zealand flank, Josh Sole after a charge by the pack with Marco Bortolami in the van.

David Bortolussi, playing his first match for Italy, got the second try and then came the third by Denis Dallan, back in the side after an absence of 19 months.

Ramiro Pez converted the three tries and added a penalty to make the score 24-3 to Italy at half-time.

After Mirco Bergamasco's try had taken the score to 31-3, coach Pierre Berbizier sent on five replacements, all young players to join the other new caps Bortolussi and South African Benjamin de Jager.  On came hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini (21), prop Fabio Staibano (23), flank Robert Barbieri (22), flyhalf Andrea Marcato (23) and the youngest of them all, wing Michele Sepe (19).  That made seven new caps on the field in addition to young scrumhalf Simon Picone who came on for Paul Griffen.

Still Italy pressed on, and lock Santiago Dellapè, originally from Argentina, scored his first Test try.  Even though Sole was sent to the sin bin, Mirco Bergamasco got his second and then De Jager imitated Bortolussi by scoring his second on debut.

The scorers:

For Italy:
Tries:  Sole, Bortolussi, Dallan, Mi.  Bergamasco 2, Dellapè, De Jager
Cons:  Pez 4, Marcato 3
Pen:  Pez

For Japan:
Pens:  Onishi 2

The teams:

Italy:  15 David Bortolussi (Montpellier), 14 Benjamin de Jager (Amatori Catania), 13 Andrea Masi (Arix Viadana), 12 Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Français), 11 Denis Dallan (Benetton Treviso), 10 Ramiro Pez (Perpignan), 9 Paul Griffen (Ghial Calvisano), 8 Josh Sole (Arix Viadana), 7 Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Français), 6 Silvio Orlando (Benetton Treviso), 5 Marco Bortolami (Narbonne, captain), 4 Santiago Dellapé (Agen), 3 Carlos Nieto (Arix Viadana), 2 Fabio Ongaro (Benetton Treviso), 1 Andrea Lo Cicero (Conad L'Aquila).
Replacements:  16 Leonardo Ghiraldini (Ghial Calvisano), 17 Fabio STaibano (Overmach Parma), 18 Carlo Antonio del Fava (Bourgoin), 19 Robert Barbieri (Overmach Parma), 20 Simon Picone (Benetton Treviso), 21 Andrea Marcato (Benetton Treviso), 22 Michele Sepe (HDI UR Capitolina).

Japan:  15 Keiji Takei (NEC Green Rockets); 14 Kosuke Endo (Toyota Motor Verblitz), 13 Aatsushi Moriya (Yamaha Jubilo), 12 Yuta Imamura (Waseda University), 11 Nataniela Oto (Toshiba Brave Lupus); 10 Shotaro Onishi (Yamaha Jubilo), 9 Wataru Ikeda (Sanyo Wild Knight); 8 Hajime Kiso (Yamaha Jubilo), 7 Ryota Asano (NEC Green Rockets, captain), 6 Tomoaki Nakai (Toshiba Brave Lupus); 5 Tomoaki Taniguchi (Toyota Motor Verblitz), 4 Takanori Kumagae (Nec Green Rockets); 3 Ryo Yamamura (Yamaha Jubilo), 2 Yuji Matsubara (Kobe Kobelco Steelers), 1 Tomokazu Soma (Sanyo Wild Knight).
Replacement:  16 Takashi Yamaoka (Suntory Sungoliath), 17 Yuichi Hisadomi (NEC Green Rockets), 18 Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba Brave Lupus), 19 Takashi Kikutani (Toyota Motor Verblitx), 20 Mamoru Ito (Toshiba Brave Lupus), 21 Hideyuki Yoshiba (Kubota Spears), 22 Hiroki Mizono (Toyota Motor Verblitz).

Referee:  Scott Young (Australia)
Touch judges:  Lyndon Bray (New Zealand), Paul Marks (Australia)

Boks race past outclassed Scotland

Four tries to one in Durban

The Springboks have handed Scotland their biggest-ever defeat on South African soil, racing to a 36-16 victory in Durban on Saturday in a game where the scoreline certainly flatters the visitors.  It is the first time Scotland had lost by more than ten points on SA soil and it is also a result that ensures Scotland are still searching for their first win in South Africa.

At four tries to one, with the Scottish touchdown a late consolation score, it says that only one team was ever going to win this game.

Like the dainty antelope adorning their jerseys, the Springboks were sprinting around the park and leaped with sheer delight as they created numerous opportunities.

Despite all that was said beforehand about Scotland's new resolve and determination, the match seemed to be heading for an inevitable result after the first few minutes as the Springbok pack took over and did so till cap-dishing-out time late in the match.

In the end the score line flattered the Scots who used every scoring chance they had in accumulating their 16 points.

For the Springboks the first half was better and their control complete as long as the "A" team played.  The tight forwards made life tough for all eight Scots, but released the Springbok loose trio to play, and play they did in everything one would expect from loose forwards.

But in the later stages of the game, the changed Springbok pack was ordinary if not beaten.

When he spoke after the match Jason White, the Scotland captain, acknowledged the strength of the Springbok pack but took heart from the try at the end.  That try probably did not have a lot authority about it.  A suspect turn-over off replacement Pedrie Wannenburg and the ball went wide to replacement Gordon Ross who sent replacement Simon Webster who scored.  There were just three minutes to go at the time.

Scotland opted for the kick-off, the Springboks mauled and troubles started for the Scots.  The Springbok pack moved on top and stayed there in all aspects of the game.

From the maul, the Springboks, a constant tactic, used the short side off the maul.  Nathan Hines was penalised and the Springboks were in Scots territory where they attacked again till at a tackle Donnie Macfadyen was penalised and Percy Montgomery had a comfortable position for the penalty.  3-0 after just over two minutes.

The Scots then had their best moment when they mauled from the line-out and went down the short side where big Sean Lamont had freedom.  He played inside where John Smit was penalised for an early tackle, and Chris Paterson levelled the scores.

Only on one other occasion in the first half did the Scots come close, and then, too, it was Paterson who scored after Victor Matfield had been adjudged off-side.

After Paterson's first penalty the Springboks set about destroying the Scottish pack.  On one occasion they shoved the Scots off the ball and Fourie du Preez had a great run going right.  The movement broke down when they went left and André Snyman knocked on.

Nathan Hines was penalised for an air-tackle on Matfield in a line-out the Springboks mauled from the subsequent line-out and were over.  The television match official could not see the grounding.  That became a five-metre scrum from which Joe Van Niekerk picked up and drove at the line.  The Springboks squeezed and squeezed till Schalk Burger squeezed the ball onto the line.  This time television match official decided it was a try.

Right from the kick-off the Springboks scored again.  They mauled the kick-off and suddenly Burger broke on the short side.  The ball went from him to stately Juan Smith, who gave to Paulse of the bushy hairdo.  Paulse played inside to Du Preez, who gave back to Paulse who squeezed over in the corner.

But any suggestion of a runaway victory faded from then on.  South Africa's best period of play had happened.

Not that it was sterile for there was a good counter-attack from Montgomery and Van Niekerk had another run from a maul off a line-out.  This time the ball went from Smith to Snyman and then to Du Preez whom Hugo Southwell tackled into the cornerpost for a drop-out.

When Bruce Douglas was penalised at a scrum, Montgomery made it 18-6, which was the half-time score.

Just before half-time there was a shuddering tackle by Lamont on De Villiers.  Lamont went off, but De Villiers went on -- till his best moment in the match.

In the first half, Jaco van der Westhuyzen had twice grubbered to no good effect.  He was not cured of it during the half-time break, but it was an unprofitable investment in attack.

In the second half the Scots decided to maul and did it well.  Paterson goaled a penalty and then the game became fairly drab with lots of kicking here, there and anywhere.

It took a great break by Snyman to inject life into the match.  De Villiers broke and went racing away.  Cleverly he took two men onto himself as he got the ball away to Snyman on his left.  Snyman scored under the bar.  But as he passed and fell Paterson's left hand brushed his chest, innocuously it seemed, but De Villiers went off in agony with a suspected broken rib -- probably the residue of that tackle by Lamont.

In cap-dishing time, Montgomery kicked a penalty and then came a try that stared in inauspicious circumstances.

Replacement Enrico Januarie went back to get hold of an awkward slap-back by Matfield at a line-out.  He turned to face the music himself but found room and an opening.  He gave to big Danie Rossouw who galloped down the field on the left.  The ball then went wider right where Montgomery forced his way over through three tacklers.

The SA scoring ended when Montgomery kicked a penalty.  All that was left was an encouraging few minutes for the Scots which included the Webster try.

Man of the Match:  Big Bok loose forward Schalk Burger.  Others did well -- Allister Hogg, Mike Blair, Donnie Macfadyen, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Fourie du Preez and Danie Rossouw -- but the best if all was energetic, committed, determined, fearless Burger.

Moment of the Match:  Surely Breyton Paulse's try from the re-start.

Villain of the Match:  Nobody.

The scorers:

For South Africa:
Tries:  Burger, Paulse, Snyman, Montgomery
Cons:  Montgomery 2
Pens:  Montgomery 4

For Scotland:
Try:  Webster
Con:  Paterson
Pens:  Paterson 3

Teams:

South Africa:  15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 André Snyman, 10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Eddie Andrews, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Os du Randt.
Replacements:  16 Hanyani Shimange, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Johan Muller, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Enrico Januarie, 21 Wynand Olivier, 22 Gaffie du Toit.

Scotland:  15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Chris Paterson, 13 Marcus Di Rollo, 12 Andrew Henderson, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Allister Hogg, 7 Donnie Macfadyen, 6 Jason White (captain), 5 Scott Murray, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Bruce Douglas, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Gavin Kerr.
Replacements:  16 Dougie Hall, 17 Craig Smith, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 Kelly Brown, 20 Sam Pinder, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Simon Webster.

Referee:  Donal Courtney (Ireland)
Touch judges:  Joël Jutge (France), Rob Debney (England)
Television match official:  Simon MacDowell (Ireland)
Assessor:  Jim Bailey (Wales)

Kiwis keep clean sheet against Irish

Late surge sees the All Blacks home

New Zealand retained their clean sheet against Ireland, recording a 34-23 victory at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.  It was a late surge, 13 points in the last 10 minutes, which saw the All Blacks home in this tightly contested encounter.

The Kiwis outscored the Irish by three tries to two to ensure they retain the record of having never lost to the men from the Emerald Isle.

It wasn't the most convincing of wins, but as captain Richie McCaw said afterwards, the All Blacks stuck at it after conceded an early lead and in the end got through.

But what a great match!  What drama, what tension, what skill!  It was wonderful entertainment and it nearly contained an upset.  Upsets are always fun if you are not the people being upset.

June is bursting out all over in rugby Tests.  If this is the sunburst that is to come it is going to be a wonderful June.

If you had watched just the first eight minutes of the match, you would have left it thinking it was a runaway victory for New Zealand.  If you had next tuned in at half-time you would have been in shocked disbelief when you saw that Ireland were leading 16-8.

It took the All Blacks just 43 seconds to get a try.  And the All Blacks kept on running and running.  Ma'a Nonu had two good runs, Luke McAlister missed and easy penalty.  And Mils Muliaina ran with effect at every opportunity.

It was Muliaina who set up that 43-second try.

Ronan O'Gara kicked off deep and Keven Mealamu caught and drove.  McAlister went left, tackled he popped the ball to new cap Clarke Dermody, going left.  Back the ball came to Muliaina going right.  He was standing, he shimmied, he accelerated and he was clean past O'Gara.  Aaron Mauger was up to take the pass and looked likely to score but his pace seemed to leave him and so he transferred to Doug Howlett who headed at an angle for the corner where he just beat young Andrew Trimble for a try in the corner.  5-0.

The pace kept cracking on.  The first stoppage, for a line-out, came after two and a half minutes, the first penalty after four minutes and the first scrum after six and a half minutes.

Initially Ireland kicked more -- but then they had O'Gara -- but it was kicking that was a major part of the build-up for Ireland's shock try.

First Mauger kicked out on the full.  Then McAlister kicked out on the full.  At the subsequent line-out Greg Rawlinson, making his test debut, slapped the ball back and left Byron Kelleher to clean-up.  Kelleher was taken clean into touch and three bits of sloppy play gave Ireland a line-out well inside the All Blacks' 22.

Ireland won the line-out and in conventional fashion the ball went from Peter Stringer to Ronan O'Gara, to Gordon D'Arcy, to Brian O'Driscoll -- and the playing genius went on a slight arc beyond Nonu and inside Joe Rokocoko and round for a try at the posts.  It was simply beautiful.  O'Gara converted and Ireland went into a dream-like 7-5 lead after just less than 10 minutes.

When McAlister was penalised for a dubiously ruled high tackle, O'Gara made it 10-5 after 11 minutes.

Were the Irish to do what the All Blacks had been predicted to do and run away with the match?

Penalties played a large part in the game.  The count went 11-7 against Ireland, but there were three telling ones by loose forwards which punished the brave Irish.

The first happened in the first half when Neil Best, Ireland's only non-Munster forward, went off-side, clattering into Kelleher, the incident which saw Kelleher wobbling off to be replaced by Jimmy Cowan.  McAlister goaled the penalty to make the score 10-8 after 20 minutes.

New Zealand ran from near their own line and charged downfield.  Ireland attempted to do in like manner, but O'Driscoll knocked on a rolling past from O'Gara and showed a touch of paddy in disapproving of his experienced fly-half's recklessness.

That gave New Zealand good attacking opportunity, but one of the characteristics of 70 minutes of the match was the decisive tackling of the proud Irish.  Indeed, Ireland were next to score and there was irony in the penalty as it was at a scrum.

As New Zealand battled in the line-outs, so Ireland battled in the scrum -- where Marcus Horan was vulnerable.  At this scrum Clarke Dermody was penalised for pulling back and down, and O'Gara made the score 13-8.

The game rattled on till, on the stroke of half-time, Richie McCaw was penalised for clinging on to the tackled player, and O'Gara made it 16-8 at the break.

Pinch me, Ireland are ahead!  Not only that, they have scored twice the number of points the All Blacks.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first-half -- with a splendid try by New Zealand, a try of delicious simplicity.

From a scrum on their left, McAlister slipped a short pass to Rokocoko coming off the left wing and going right.  Big Joe gave to Nonu who gave to Mauger who gave to Muliaina coming in from fullback and Muliaina had the strength to go over as two Irishmen clung to him.  This time McAlister converted, and the score was 16-15.

Ah, you felt as you sat back, this is the start of New Zealand road to rapid victory.  Ah, you were wrong.  Five minutes later the Irish were further ahead.

They came on in wave after wave of multiphased attack with Paul O'Connell and Shane Horgan prominent.  From far right they moved left till O'Connell was at the line.  Stringier got quick ball to O'Gara, who ran at the defence, brought two defenders onto himself and managed to get a clever pass to Trimble who ran round for the try which O'Gara converted.  23-15 with half an hour to play.

Flank David Wallace was penalised twice in three minutes -- once for collapsing a maul and once for staying onto the tackled player, and each time McAlister goaled the penalty.  That made it 23-21 with twenty minutes to go.

With 14 minutes to go, O'Gara missed a penalty attempt.  With 13 minutes to go Ireland were attacking with vigour when bad things happened.  A scrum became a penalty for dissent, and this seemed to break Irish hearts.

The All Blacks attacked through many, many phases even with Cowan down groggy.  Replacement Keith Gleeson was penalised for coming in at the side and McAlister put the All Blacks a point ahead at 24-23.  For over an hour Ireland had led.  But the last nine minutes counted most.

Behind a point, the spirited Irish looked for a winning try.  Geordan Murphy counter-attacked brilliantly from just outside his 22 and set O'Driscoll running.  They seemed to have put the Irish on the way to scoring a try when somehow McAlister intercepted a pass from O'Connell and the attack went New Zealand's way.  Trimble got back and saved bravely and the Irish won a defensive ruck.

Stringer, still searching for a winner, chipped.  The ball bounced awkwardly.  O'Connell got a hand to it but managed only to tip the ball into the path of steaming Nonu to thump off Stringer and feed replacement Troy Flavell.  The big lock celebrated his return to All Black duty after a five-year absence by surging over, hand aloft in triumph, for the try which sealed the match.  31-23 with six minutes left.

Those were not a good six minutes for Ireland.  O'Connell was penalised for holding on and it was 34-23 and Jerry Flannery was penalised and yellow-carded for a late shoulder-charge on Muliaina.

When the final whistle went the All Blacks were on the Irish line.

Man of the Match:  Mils Muliaina was great and so was Rodney So'oialo, and Carl Hayman made the Irish scrum a rickety thing.  Geordan Murphy had great moments for Ireland and so did Gordon D'Arcy, but the player of undoubted class and skill was Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland.

Moment of the Match:  All of the tries were exciting but perhaps it was Ireland's first one that was the real moment, when they struck from a line-out and Brian O'Driscoll swept round for the try that told the world:  "This is going to be great match."

Villain of the Match:  Jerry Flannery is the official one with his yellow card for petulant stupidity, but Marcus Horan with boots working on Rodney So'oialo's mop of hair was an uglier sight.

The scorers:

For New Zealand:
Tries:  Howlett, Muliaina, Flavell
Cons:  McAlister 2
Pens:  McAlister 5

For Ireland:
Tries:  O'Dricoll, Trimble
Cons:  O'Gara 2
Pens:  O'Gara 3

Yellow card(s):  Flannery (Ireland) -- late tackle, 79

The teams:

New Zealand:  15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Marty Holah, 5 Greg Rawlinson, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements:  16 Anton Oliver, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Troy Flavell, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 David Hill, 22 Scott Hamilton.

Ireland:  15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Neil Best, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements:  16 Rory Best, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Keith Gleeson, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Denis Hickie, 22 Girvan Dempsey.

Referee:  Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges:  Matt Goddard (Australia), George Ayoub (Australia)
Television match official:  Brett Bowden (Australia)
Assessor:  Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)

Tongans tonk the Brave Blossoms

Japan fall in Fukuoka

Tonga loose forward Tevita Fifita ran in a brace of tries as his country opened their Pacific Five Nations account with a resounding 57-16 victory over Japan in Fukuoka on Sunday.

Fifita, one of several Japan-based players in the Tongan side, opened the scoring in the first minute but Japan rallied to leave the half-time score balanced 15-13 in favour of the visitors.

But the islanders upped the ante in the second half and ran six tries past the error-prone Japanese.

"The second half was a nightmare," said Japan coach Jean-Pierre Elissalde.

"Every time in contact situations, we were worse than Tonga and lost the ball.

"It didn't matter if we went wide or kept it tight, we were going to lose the ball."

Tonga coach Adam Leach admitted that local knowledge had played a big role in his side's win.

"A lot of the players and me have experience of playing and coaching here," said the former Yamaha Jubilo assistant coach.

"We knew their strengths and weaknesses and that gave us confidence."

The scorers:

For Tonga:
Tries:  Fifita 2, Vaikona, Hala'ufia, Hehea, Tuifa, Tu'ipulotu, Filipine
Cons:  Hola 3
Pens:  Hola 2

For Japan:
Try:  Oto
Con:  Onishi
Pens:  Onishi 3

Barbarians beat Georgia in Tbilisi

Four tries to three as Pat Howard pulls on his boots

Before some 10,000 spectators the Barbarians beat Georgia 28-19 in Tbilisi on Sunday afternoon.  There was more than just a rugby match.

The Barbarians led 14-7 at half-time and the Lelos pulled back to 14-all early in the second half, but the Barbarians then added two more tries before the Lelos got their third just before the end.

The Barbarians had 25 players with them and all of them got a game.  In fact, even coach Pat Howard joined in as one of the 25!

Paliko Jimsheladze, normally a fly-half but playing fullback in this match, became the first Georgian to win 50 caps for his country.  In recognition of this feat he was presented with a commemorative cap.  The presentation was made by Nodar Qipiani, the first captain of a Georgian national team.

After the match the Barbarians presented £10,000 for the development of rugby in Georgia.

The scorers:

For Barbarians:
Tries:  Monye, Hanley 2, Hallett
Cons:  Malone 3, Hallett

For Georgia:
Tries:  Machkhaneli 2, Magrakvelidze
Cons:  Barkalaia 2

Teams:

Georgia:  15 Paliko Jimsheladze (captain), 14 Otar Eloshvili, 13 Revaz Guigauri, 12 Irakli Guiorgadze, 11 Irakli Machkhaneli; 10 Otar Barkalaia, 9 Bidzina Samkharadze, 8 Besso Udessiani, 7 Rati Urushadze, 6 Ilia Maissuradze, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Mamuka Gorgodze, 3 Avtandil Kopaliani, 2 Akvsenti Guiorgadze, 1 Mamuka Magrakvelidze.
Replacements:  16 Michael Sujashvili, 17 David Khinchaguishvili, 18 Shalva Papashvili, 19 Zviad Maissuradze, 20 George Katcharava, 21 Lexo Gugava, 22 George Elizbarashvili.
Coaches:  Malkhaz Tcheishvili, Paata Narimanashvili

Barbarians:  15 Neil Hallett, 14 Ugo Monye, 13 Tony Marsh, 12 Kevin Maggs, 11 Lee Robinson; 10 Chris Malone, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 8 Bob Skinstad (captain), 7 Will Skinner, 6 Brad Macleod-Henderson, 5 Simon Miall, 4 James Hamilton, 3 Darren Crompton, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.
Replacements:  16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Hottie Louw, 19 Daniel Browne, 20 Ian Vass, 21 Leon Lloyd, 22 Steve Hanley, 23 Jason Forster, 24 John Davies.
Coach:  (who played) Pat Howard

Referee:  Tony Spreadbury (England)
Touch judges:  Ucha Narimanidze, George Javakhishvili (both Georgia)

Springboks put World XV to bed

Montgomery kicks guests to death

The Springbok XV edged out the World XV to maintain their unbeaten record over the star-studded visitors, but Saturday's drab 30-27 victory at a half-empty Ellis Park wasn't quite the celebration of rugby that the overpriced match-tickets had promised.

Nor did the game really serve its purpose as a warm-up match ahead of South Africa's gruelling schedule of game.

South Africa fullback Percy Montgomery was perhaps the only man to benefit from this mess -- he got his eye in by slotting all but three of his side's points.

Indeed, the World XV contributed the only tries of a penalty-strewn encounter that compelled organisers to pump jaunty music through the PA system in an attempt to engender some sort of atmosphere -- a ploy that fell as flat as the few efforts to run the ball on the bone-dry pitch.

Ellis Park had some 30,000 spectators at the match.  That meant it was roughly half full.  The other half certainly made the better choice for this was a low-level match of poor skill, low intensity and much mindlessness -- and the Springboks were the side mainly to blame, winners or not.

Two tries to nil suggests a winning team.  The World XV had the two tries but had a lower score at the end.  Yet their contribution to the match, even with the two tries, was certainly not sparkling.

They said beforehand that it would not be a "Barbarians match", presumably that it was not going to be a match of adventure and skill.  If that is what was meant, it certainly was the case.  The first half was drab, drab, drab.  The second half was drab, drab, drab.

There was a little sparkle when Ruan Pienaar, Wynand Olivier, Gary Botha and Pedrie Wannenburg came on but they soon succumbed to drabness as well.

There were many penalties to add to the drabness -- 19 to the Springboks, 13 to the World XV and there were seven free-kicks.  That did not help.

There were 18 scrums, in which there were 13 resets and three penalties.  That did not add any sparkle.

There was no sparkle.

It was drab.

The Springboks had the majority of territory and possession but gave every impression of lacking any ideas, even simple ones.

It started at halfbacks where a podgy Enrico Januarie continued his poor form of the Super 14, passing slowly and poorly and taking good ball for himself.  No that the forwards provided a comfortable platform for a scrum-half.

It continued at fly-half where Jaco van der Westhuyzen had a poor game in judgement and execution.  But then he had played fullback during the Super 14.

That left the outside backs cut off from the game.

But look at things that happened -- the sight of Danie Rossouw robbed by little Thomas Castaignède, Rossouw plodding towards the touch-line, Wynand Olivier taking a quick throw-in to Albert Olivier with Radike Samo behind him and so clumsily on.

The Springboks had four five-metre line-outs.  They got over once but in a tight bundle leaving referee and TMO unable to award the try.  On the other occasions they made little impression on the World XV defenders.  They had a five-metre scrum as well.  The defence was made easier by the lack of variation or inventiveness.

To their credit the Springboks, three times in quick succession, kicked for the line-out instead of at goal.  The intentions were obviously good, but not the execution.

It did not help that Cobus Visagie, told he was not wanted in the Springbok team, destroyed first Deon Carstens and then Lawrence Sephaka.  The Springbok scrum was under pressure and they lost one against the head.

The World XV did not bother about running, not even on counterattack, but they got the only try of the first half -- not a spectacular one -- and the only try of the second half, probably a fortunate one.

After Matthew Burke had kicked a penalty when Wikus van Heerden tackled Sébastien Chabal late.  Then Percy Montgomery equalised when England lock Tom Palmer held on at a tackle.

Then the World XV had a chance to attack.  From a quick scrum on their right, Chabal picked up and bashed down the blind side.  In saving, Albert van den Berg conceded a five-metre scrum.  Again Chabal picked up and bashed down the blind side, through and past AJ Venter.  Justin Marshall ripped the ball off him and plunged over for the try.  That made it 8-3.

Then kicks went back and forth until half-time came with the Springboks leading 15-11 -- four penalties by Montgomery and one, from inside his own half on the stroke of the interval, by Gaffie du Toit.

Venter was sent to the sin-bin for punching early in the second half.  While he was missing the World XV scored a try of ridiculous simplicity.

Carlos Spencer kicked a diagonal to his right.  Isa Nacewa jumped for the bouncing ball.  Montgomery flung arms out wide in respect for the airborne player but kept his eyes prayerfully cast down.  Nacewa came to earth and ran away from the prayerful fullback to score a try under the posts.  Burke converted.

The rest of the half was characterised by penalties and replacements as each player got a chance to play.  Montgomery kicked five penalties, Burke three.

When the whistle mercifully put a strop to the bungling, one wondered what purpose could possibly have been served.

Man of the Match:  The award goes to Sébastien Chabal, part biblical patriarch and part pirate, all energy and personality in a match which lacked personality.

Moment of the Match:  The final whistle.

Villain of the Match:  The easy thing is to say it was AJ Venter for getting a yellow card.

The scorers:

For Springbok XV:
Pens:  Montgomery 9, Du Toit

For World XV:
Tries:  Marshall, Nacewa
Con:  Burke
Pens:  Burke 5

Yellow card(s):  Venter (Springboks XV) -- punching, 43

The teams:

Springbok XV:  15 Percy Montgomery, 14 André Snyman, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Gaffie du Toit, 10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 AJ Venter, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Albert van den Berg, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Eddie Andrews, 2 Hanyani Shimange, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements:  16 Gary Botha, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Johann Muller, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Wynand Olivier, 22 Brent Russell.

World XV:  15 Matt Burke, 14 Isa Nacewa, 13 Thomas Castaignède, 12 Fraser Waters, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Justin Marshall (captain), 8 Sébastien Chabal, 7 Olivier Magne, 6 Xavier Rush, 5 Radike Samo, 4 Tom Palmer, 3 Cobus Visagie, 2 Raphaël Ibañez, 1 Dave Hewett.
Replacements:  16 Mark Regan, 17 Christian Califano 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Sam Harding/Toutai Kefu, 20 Mark Robinson, 21 Ludovic Mercier, 22 Joe Roff.

Referee:  Tappe Henning
Touch judges:  Jonathan Kaplan, JC Fortuin
Television Match Official:  André Watson

Scotland smash the Barbarians

Hadden's heroes repel star-studded invaders

Scotland limbered up for their two-Test tour of South Africa with an impressive 66-19 victory over the Barbarians at Murrayfield on Wednesday evening, topping England's efforts against the same opponents by a full 20 points.

Edinburgh Gunners star Chris Paterson emerged as the hero of the nine-try romp, claiming a personal haul of 31 points.

The Scots made a rousing start, opting to play a mixed early game as they combined handling sequences with kicks into space before hooker Scott Lawson set up the first clear-cut scoring chance with a midfield break.

The move collapsed -- but they picked up an easy three points via the boot of Paterson as the Barbarians defence crept offside and the home winger chipped over the penalty from point-blank range.

There was an immediate scare for Scotland as Ireland flank Kieran Dawson snapped up an opportunist touchdown.

He broke from the scrum swiftly to charge down a Mike Blair clearance and was equally quick to react to pounce for the score in the corner.  Chris Malone made the wide-angled conversion look simple.

But Blair made instant amends at the other end just three minutes later -- skipper Jason White offloaded to Ally Hogg, whose lobbed short pass was snatched by Blair at the second attempt who just had to go over the line.

Paterson added the extras to restore Scotland's slender advantage -- and they wasted no time in grabbing their second try.

Barbarians skipper Will Greenwood, playing his last competitive game, spilled the ball in his own danger zone, leaving Andy Henderson with a formality of a task to scoop it up and cruise over.  Paterson again converted.

The visitors were spurred into more attacking action of their own and Greenwood's link work paved the way for full-back Steve Hanley to sneak through for their second counter.

The frantic end-to-end action continued as Paterson bagged a brilliant solo touchdown, latching on to a pass from Blair and outstripping Hanley and Leon Lloyd to dash to glory from 50 metres.  Then for good measure, he chipped over the conversion.

The Baa-baas stepped up the pace in the build-up to the break but Glasgow's Canadian star Kevin Tkachuk let the ball slip from his grasp just before he reached the target.

Scotland made a spate of changes at the restart, with skipper Jason White among those being given a breather.

The armband was handed to Paterson, whose first act of the half was to turn Marcus Di Rollo's try into a seven pointer.

And any prospect of a meaningful Barbarians fightback was snuffed out when substitute hooker Dougie Hall was driven over by his pack-mates for score number five which Paterson converted from wide on the right.

Replacement scrum-half Sam Pinder then marked his maiden appearance in a Scotland jersey with a runaway try following a surge by Glasgow colleague Donnie Macfadyen with Paterson maintaining his 100 percent kicking record.

The Barbarians refused to buckle completely and France centre Tony Marsh powered over for their third touchdown, converted by Malone.

Scotland replied positively to notch the half-century through Blair, who had returned to the fray on the wing as a rolling sub.  Paterson banged over his seventh conversion.

He was back on target after it became Henderson's turn to complete his double with five minutes left.

And the stage was clear for Paterson to round off a fantastic performance with his second score -- and his ninth conversion to take his points haul past the 30-mark.

The scorers:

For Scotland:
Tries:  Blair 2, Henderson 2, Paterson 2, Di Rollo, Hall, Pinder
Cons:  Paterson 9
Pen:  Paterson

For the Barbarians:
Tries:  Hanley, Dawson, Marsh
Cons:  Malone 2

The teams:

Scotland:  15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Gunners), 14 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Gunners), 13 Marcus Di Rollo (Edinburgh Gunners), 12 Andy Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), 11 Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints), 10 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), 9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh Gunners), 8 A Hogg (Edinburgh Gunners), 7 Kelly Brown (Border Reivers), 6 Jason White (Sale Sharks, capt), 5 Scott Murray (Edinburgh Gunners), 4 Alasdair Kellock (Edinburgh Gunners), 3 Craig Smith (Edinburgh Gunners), 2 Scott Lawson (Glasgow Warriors), 1 Gavin Kerr (Leeds Tykes).
Replacements:  16 Dougie Hall (Edinburgh Gunners), 17 Bruce Douglas (Border Reivers), 18 Scott MacLeod (Border Reivers), 19 Donald Macfadyen (Glasgow Warriors), 20 Sam Pinder (Glasgow Warriors), 21 Gordon Ross (Leeds Tykes), 22 Simon Webster (Edinburgh Gunners).

Barbarians:  15 Steve Hanley (Sale Sharks & England), 14 Leon Lloyd (Leicester Tigers & England), 13 Will Greenwood (Harlequins, England & British Isles, capt), 12 Sonny Parker (Ospreys & Wales), 11 Lee Robinson (Bristol), 10 Chris Malone (Bath), 9 Jason Spice (Ospreys), 8 Dan Browne (Northampton Saints), 7 Jason Forster (Dragons & Wales), 6 Kieron Dawson (London Irish & Ireland), 5 Hottie Louw (Llanelli Scarlets & South Africa), 4 James Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), 3 John Davies (Llanelli Scarlets & Wales), 2 Pieter Dixon (Bath), 1 Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors & Canada).
Replacements:  16 Olivier Azam (Gloucester & France), 17 Simon Miall (Harlequins), 18 Darren Crompton (Bristol), 19 Bobby Skinstad (Richmond & South Africa), 20 Jake Rauluni (Bristol & Fiji), 21 Kevin Maggs (Ulster & Ireland), 22 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)

Referee:  Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges:  Dave Pearson, Robin Goodliffe (both England)
Television match official:  Rob Debney (England)

Barbarians fall at Twickenham

England record a morale-boosting win

England kicked off their end-of-season activities with a fine 46-19 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday, recovering from a very shaky start to run six tries past the stud-studded invitational side.

Bath fly-half Olly Barkley inspired the winning send-off as the world champions prepare to face Australia in Sydney and Melbourne next month.

England head south on Sunday night, and coach Andy Robinson will be relieved to have emerged from the annual Gartmore Challenge match at Twickenham without any major injury problems and a first win over the Baa-baas since 2002.

Barkley scored 21 points, including a try, and there were also touchdowns for James Simpson-Daniel (2), James Forrester, prop David Barnes and his fellow substitute Delon Armitage.

The Baa-baas, whose starting line-up boasted more than 600 Test caps, contributed to the entertainment with tries from fullback Matt Burke, wing Bruce Reihana and flank Olivier Magne.

At times though, the game resembled little more than a practice match, and it was difficult to imagine Robinson and his new-look coaching team of Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford learning a great deal.

Barkley, Simpson-Daniel and skipper Pat Sanderson were the pick of an efficient, if unspectacular England side, and Australia will provide an infinitely tougher challenge at Sydney's Telstra Stadium on June 11, then Melbourne six days later.

England made a bright start, off-loading well in contact before Barkley kicked them ahead through a 38-metre penalty after opposite number Carlos Spencer was denied an interception try for offside.

It was a harsh call by Irish referee Donal Courtney -- and Spencer's wry grin suggested he felt England had fortuitously escaped -- before Barkley doubled the lead with a second penalty.

Unlike England, the Baa-baas sacrificed a penalty chance in favour of an attacking scrum, and such adventure almost reaped its reward when Joe Roff was sent clear, but opposite number Simpson-Daniel produced a superb try-saving tackle.

England's defensive organisation came under threat from the Baa-baas' dazzling runners, and centre Mathew Tait emulated Simpson-Daniel's heroics when he hauled down his Newcastle colleague Burke and prevented a certain score.

Predictably, England proved more structured and deliberate in attack than their opponents, but an opening quarter high on endeavour finished try-less.

The Baa-baas looked poised to score after slick approach work created a two-man overlap, yet Reihana's pass was intercepted by Simpson-Daniel, who raced 80 metres unopposed for a gift try.

Barkley's conversion made it 13-0, although any hint of English complacency was immediately removed when Tait fumbled in defence and Magne capitalised by strolling over for his team's opening try, converted by Burke.

There was little pattern to the game, which suited the Barbarians far more than England, and Sanderson saw his team fall behind through a score that will have concerned defence coach Ford.

England were blown open in midfield by flanker Toutai Kefu's charge, leaving Burke with a simple task of sending Reihana sprinting over, with the conversion completing the wiping out a 13-point deficit during six damaging minutes.

England needed to regroup, yet the Barbarians were in mood to relent, and a wonderfully ghosting Spencer run had the hosts in all sorts of trouble.  Lock Alex Brown snuffed out the danger by dragging Spencer down.

The Baa-baas had their opponents on the ropes, but the game's unpredictable nature meant another expected turn as Tait broke out of defence, scrum-half Peter Richards kept the move going and Simpson-Daniel stepped neatly inside two attempted tackles for his second try to edge England 18-14 ahead at half-time.

Robinson resisted any temptation to make half-time changes, and a promising England opening almost produced tries for Simpson-Daniel and Balshaw, with Balshaw called back following a forward pass from Tait.

Barbarians coach Bob Dwyer though, began utilising his replacements' bench, with scrum-half Justin Marshall and prop Peter Bracken both given run-outs, and England fell behind again on 53 minutes.

A bullocking run by Cardiff Blues number eight Xavier Rush left England's defence at sixes and sevens, and quickly recycled possession saw Burke cross wide out.

Although the Australian could not convert, the Baa-baas led 19-18, which was a cue for Robinson to make four switches, taking off centre Mike Catt, prop Tim Payne, hooker Lee Mears and lock James Hudson and sending on Stuart Abbott, Barnes, David Paice and Kieran Roche.

Barkley then gathered Spencer's speculative kick out of defence, racing 30 metres for a try which he converted, making it 25-19, and England ran pulled away during the closing quarter, scoring 21 further unanswered points to give them a record winning margin for the fixture.

The scorers:

For England:
Tries:  Simpson-Daniel 2, Barkley, Forrester, Barnes, Armitage
Cons:  Barkley 5
Pens:  Barkley 2

For the Barbarians:
Tries:  Magne, Reihana, Burke
Cons:  Burke 2

The teams:

England:  15 Mark Van Gisbergen (London Wasps), 14 James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), 13 Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons), 12 Mike Catt (London Irish), 11 Iain Balshaw (Leeds Tykes), 10 Olly Barkley (Bath), 9 Peter Richards (Gloucester), 8 Pat Sanderson (Worcester Warriors, captain), 7 Michael Lipman (Bath), 6 James Forrester (Gloucester), 5 Alex Brown (Gloucester), 4 James Hudson (Bath), 3 Duncan Bell (Bath), 2 Lee Mears (Bath), 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps).
Replacements:  16 David Paice (London Irish), 17 David Barnes (Bath), 18 Kieran Roche (London Irish), 19 James Haskell (London Wasps), 20 Scott Bemand (Leicester Tigers), 21 Stuart Abbott (London Wasps), 22 Delon Armitage (London Irish).

Barbarians:  15 Matt Burke (Newcastle Falcons & Australia), 14 Bruce Reihana (Northampton Saints & New Zealand), 13 Thomas Castaignède (Saracens & France, vice-captain), 12 Dominic Feau'nati (London Irish & Samoa), 11 Joe Roff (Kubota & Australia), 10 Carlos Spencer (Northampton Saints & New Zealand), 9 Mark Robinson (Northampton Saints & New Zealand), 8 Toutai Kefu (Kubota & Australia), 7 Olivier Magne (London Irish & France), 6 Xavier Rush (Cardiff Blues & New Zealand), 5 Tom Palmer (London Wasps & England), 4 Bob Casey (London Irish & Ireland), 3 Christian Califano (Gloucester & France), 2 Raphaël Ibañez (London Wasps & France, captain), 1 Andrea Lo Cicero (L'Aquila & Italy).
Replacements:  16 Mark Regan (Bristol Rugby & England), 17 Peter Bracken (London Wasps), 18 Daniel Leo (London Wasps & Samoa), 19 Sam Harding (Northampton Saints & New Zealand), 20 Justin Marshall (Ospreys & New Zealand), 21 Isa Nacewa (Auckland & Fiji), 22 Fraser Waters (London Wasps & England).

Referee:  Donal Courtney (Ireland)
Touch judges:  Alain Rolland, George Clancy (both Ireland)
Assessor:  Dougie Kerr (Scotland)

Spain turn tables on Germany

Advance to Round 4

Spain beat Germany 36-10 at Campo Central Ciudad Universitaria in Madrid on Saturday, thus overturning their first leg defeat in this crucial European Rugby World Cup qualifier.

In Heidelberg the strong German pack dominated and forged an 18-6 victory Spain needed to win by more than 12 points to advance to Round 4 of European qualification on the one hand and to return to the European Nations Cup ("Six Nations B") as well.

Next season Spain will be in the ENC with Romania, Georgia, Portugal, Russia and the Czech Republic, taking the place of Ukraine who are to be relegated

Spanish coach Ged Glynn bolstered his pack for this match but it was only in the last ten minutes on the hot Saturday afternoon that the Lions reached their target.

Right wing David Mota scored an early try for Spain but Germany took the lead when Kieron Davies scored a try and Mustafa Güngör converted.  Back came Spain with a try by hooker Diego Zarzosa, converted by flyhalf Esteban Roqué.  After Güngör had kicked a penalty goal the score at half-time was just 12-10 to Spain, 11 points short of the target

Germany did not score in the second half and it became a matter of how well their defence could hold out.  They got their first try soon enough when fullback César Sempere scored and Roqué again converted and added a penalty goal.  That made it 22-10, which meant the points' difference was as it was in Heidelberg.  But it took Spain nearly 24 minutes to get beyond that.  They were helped when, with eight minutes left, the German prop Alexander Widiker, received a yellow card.  Then Javier Canosa scored and again Roqué converted, much to the joy of the 7 000 spectators.  In injury time César Sempere's second try made the victory look comfortable.

Five tries to two is a worthy victory.

Scorers:

For Spain:
Tries:  David Mota, Diego Zarzosa, César Sempere 2, Javier Canosa
Cons:  Esteban Roqué 4
Pen:  Esteban Roqué

For Germany:
Try:  Kieron Davies
Con:  Mustafa Güngör
Pen:  Mustafa Güngör

Teams:

Spain:  15 César Sempere, 14 David Mota, 13 Ferrán Velazco (captain), 12 Alvar Enciso, 11 Javier Canosa, 10 Esteban Roqué, 9 Pablo Feijóo, 8 Alfonso Mata, 7 Juan González, 6 Rafael Camacho, 5 César Bernasconi, 4 Andrew Ebbet, 3 Manuel Serrano, 2 Diego Zarzosa, 1 Ion Insausti
Replacements:  16 José Maria Bohórquez, 17 Miguel Burgaleta, 18 Sergio Souto, 19 Iván Criado, 20 Carlos Arenas, 21 Andrei Kovalenco, 22 Víctor Marlet

When Miguel Burgaleta came into loosehead for Ion Insausti, he won his first cap

Germany:  15 Matthieu Franke, 14 Markus Walger, 13 Clemens von Grumbkow, 12 Colin Graznna, 11 Mustafa Güngör, 10 Kieron Davies, 9 Jacques Lemmer, 8 Robert Mohr, 7 Steffen Their, 6 Tim Kasten, 5 Bodo Sieber, 4 Jens Schmidt (captain), 3 Pierre Faber, 2 Tim Coly, 1 Alexander Widiker
Replacements:  16 Benjamín Krause, 17 Steffen Horwarth, 18 Christian Hugh, 19 Gerrit van Look, 20 Matthias Pipa, 21 Sebastien Chaule, 22 Lars Ecker

Referee:  Frank Maciello (France)
Touch judges:  Eric Briquet Campin, Grégoire Silvan (both France)

Savai'i Samoa claim Pacific crown

Fiji Warriors fall in the Final

Savai'i Samoa are the inaugural IRB Pacific Rugby Cup champions after coming from behind to beat Fiji Warriors 10-5 in a tense final in Apia on Sunday.

The Samoan side, who enjoyed home advantage for the final owing to their position at the top of the standings, had to repel wave upon wave of Warriors attacks to claw their way back from a 5-3 half time deficit in muddy conditions to delight the 2500 home support.

A downpour before kick-off ended all hopes of seeing a free-scoring affair between the competition's top try scoring teams, but despite the tricky conditions both sides produced a compelling final of exceptional skill and passion, demonstrating exactly how the teams have developed during the competition's six weeks.

Once again Pacific Rugby Cup top-scorer Rambo Tavana was the star for Savai'i, pegging the Warriors back at every opportunity and kicking the decisive points in conditions that frustrated both goal-kickers.

Tavana opened the scoring after six minutes with his first shot at goal to give the home side an early lead, but Savai'i were very much on the back foot in a first half that the Warriors completely dominated in terms of territory and possession.

The Fijian side threw absolutely everything at Savai'i but Samoan defence held firm until five minutes from the interval.

When the try line was eventually breeched it was flanker Kiniviliame Salabogi who dotted down for the game's opening try for the Warriors after some patient build-up play.

The Warriors may have been concerned in the build-up to the match about gaining parity in the forward exchanges, but the Fijian eight produced a series of powerful drives to stretch the Savai'I defence before Salabogi broke free to give the visitors a 5-3 half time lead.

The Warriors began the second half well and silenced the partisan home support who sensed that Savai'I needed a moment of inspiration to turn the tide in the match.  That moment came courtesy of a Warriors turn-over.

Savai'i capitalised on the Warriors' error to quickly work the ball downfield before centre Henry Bryce made a beautiful break to score much to the delight of the home support.  Tavana's conversion nosed the Samoan side back in front.

Both sides missed penalty opportunities in a final twenty minutes that was dominated by the tricky conditions, but it was the Warriors, who with a plentiful supply of possession, threw everything at Savai'i.

However, it was to no avail as the home side held out to lift the inaugural IRB Pacific Rugby Cup trophy.

"I am so proud to have won the first IRB Pacific Rugby Cup," said an emotional Rambo Tavana immediately after the game.

"The players have worked so hard for this moment.  It really is beyond words."

With the Pacific Rugby Cup now completed, attention turns to the IRB Pacific 5 Nations which begins on June 3.

For the national coaches of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga the competition has been invaluable in developing locally-based players for the Test arena and a number of players from the Pacific Rugby Cup are expected to be selected for the tournament which involves Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the Junior All Blacks.

The scorers:

For Savai'i Samoa:
Try:  Bryce
Con:  Tavana
Pen:  Tavana

For Fiji Warriors:
Try:  Salabogi

The teams:

Savai'i Samoa:  15 Alesana Laumea, 14 Tauvaga Fa'afou, 13 Henry Bryce, 12 Pati Fetuai, 11 Esera Lauina, 10 Rambo Tavana (Key Anufe, 63), 9 Ioane Evalu, 8 Egelani Fale, 7 Iosefa Taina (Filisoa Faaiu, 45), 6 Ulia Ulia (Manaia Salavea, 85), 5 Lale Latu, 4 Luti Pese, 3 Rudy Levasa, 2 Viliamu Viliamu (Lafoga Aoelua, 61), 1 Jake Grey.
Unused replacements:  18 Robert Johnstone, 20 Gafa Siona, 22 Mika Viane.

Fiji Warriors:  15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Napolioni Vonawale, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Julian Vulakoro (Tevita Latianara, 85), 11 Mosese Luveitasau, 10 Josevata Tora, 9 Emosi Vucago (Aporosa Vata, 80), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole (Etonia Naba, 81), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Kini Salabogi, 5 Jone Qovu (Wame Lewaravu, 69), 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Apisai Turukawa (Sikeli Gavidi, 68), 2 Sunia Koto(Maciu Vakaruru, 83), 1 Apisai Nagi.
Unused replacements:  21 Jiuta Lutumailagi

Germany wins first round

Big hill for Spain to climb

Germany beat Spain 18-6 in Heidelberg on Saturday in the first leg of the final elimination at the end of Round 3 of Europe's qualifiers for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.  The second leg will be played in Madrid in a fortnight's time.

For Spain to overtake Germany they will have to win by more than 12 points.

The Fritz-Grunebaum-Stadium was packed for the match.

The German pack set up the victory for the Germans depriving the fast Spanish backs of ball.  In addition the German defence was well marshalled for the full 80 minutes and gave the Lions no leeway.

Experienced No.8 Robert Mohr, who plays his rugby in France, scored the first try from a line-out in the Spanish 22.  The German pack drove the maul over Spain's line for the try.

Spain's answer in the first half was a penalty goal by Esteban Roqué, which made the half-time score 5-3.

There were two red cards early in the second half.  After fighting the Welsh referee Neil Ballard sent off the German lock Sascha Fischer and the Spanish hooker Mathieu Cidré.  Earlier there had been yellow cards for Germany's Tim Kasten, Sascha Fischer and Jens Schmidt and Spain's Santiago Serrano.  It was a hotly contested, if slow, match.

Fullback Matthieu Franke increased Germany's lead with a penalty goal.

Play remained fairly even until wing Markus Walger scored Germany's second try.  Franke converted to make the score 15-3 with five minutes to go.

In those five minutes Franke kicked a second penalty goal, which was countered by one by replacement Andrei Kovalenco, Spain's veteran of Ukranian birth.

The German margin of victory could have been much greater had their goal-kicking been more accurate.

Scorers:

For Germany:
Tries:  Mohr, Walger
Con:  Franke
Pens:  Franke 2

For Spain:
Pens:  Roqué, Kovalenco

Teams:

Germany:  15 Matthieu Franke, 14 Mustafa Güngör, 13 Clemens von Grumbkow, 12 Colin Grzanna, 11 Markus Walger, 10 Kieron Davies, 9 Jacques Lemmer, 8 Robert Mohr, 7 Steffen Thier, 6 Tim Kasten, 5 Sascha Fischer, 4 Jens Schmidt (captain), 3 Pierre Faber, 2 Tim Coly, 1 Alexander Widiker.
Replacements:  16 Benjamin Krause, 17 Steffen Horwath, 18 Gerrit van Loock, 19 Alexander Pipa, 20 Mathias Pipa, 21 Hendrik van Loock, 22 Lars Eckert

Spain:  15 César Sempere, 14 David Mota, 13 Ferrán Velazco (captain), 12 Jaime Nava, 11 Ignacio Martín, 10 Esteban Roqué, 9 Pablo Feijoo, 8 Alfonso Mata, 7 Santiago Serrano, 6 Rafael Camacho, 5 Francisco López, 4 Andrew Ebbet, 3 Ion Insausti, 2 Mathieu Cidre, 1 Sergio Padrisa.
Replacements:  16 Diego Zarzosa, 17 Manuel Serrano, 18 Cyril Hijar, 19 Iván Criado, 20 Carlos Arenas, 21 Andrei Kovalenco, 22 Víctor Marlet

Referee:  Neil Ballard (Wales)

Spain beat Holland in qualifier

Germany next

In their efforts to qualify for the 2007 World Cup's final tournament, as they did in 1999, Spain beat Holland 24-13 in Madrid.  Next they play Germany home and away.

There were some 7 000 spectators at the Campo Central of Madrid's Ciudad Universitaria on Saturday to see Spain home.

The first half clinched it for Spain when they scored three converted tries.  This gave them a 24-7 lead at half-time.

Experienced scrumhalf Pablo Feijóo scored the first try after several good midfield breaks by the Spanish backs, and then flyhalf Esteban Roqué added a penalty goal before a try by flank Derk Tazelaar, scored immediately after Roqué's penalty goal and converted by flyhalf Bart Viguurs, who has NPC experience with Wairarapa Bush in New Zealand, pulled the score back to 10-7.

But Spain came right back with a try by captain Ferrán Velazco and then a third by debutant Ignacio Martín.

There were no tries, when the heat -- it was a cloudless 28º in Madrid -- seemed to sap the players' energies, at all in the second half, just two penalty goals by Viguurs in a half of many penalties.

Spain play Germany, the winners of Pool B after their 33-15 victory over Belgium, on 13 and 27 May.  The winner of that play-off round will go on to the fourth round of European qualification, and will play against the team ranked sixth in the European Nations Cup, which will be Ukraine.  The teams ranked fourth and fifth will play in the other pool in Round 4.  There is Round 5 after that when Italy join in.  Spain have some way to go.

Teams:

Spain:  15 César Sempere, 14 David Mota, 13 Ferrán Velazco (captain), 12 Jaime Nava, 11 Ignacio Martín, 10 Esteban Roqué, 9 Pablo Feijóo, 8 Alfonso Mata, 7 Juan González, 6 Rafael Camacho, 5 Andrew Ebbett, 4 César Bernasconi, 3 Manuel Serrano, 2 Mathieu Cidre, 1 Jon Insausti.
Replacements:  16 Diego Zarzosa, 17 César Caballero, 18 Francisco López, 19 Iván Criado, 20 Carlos Arenas, 21 Andrei Kovalenco, 22 Pedro Martin

Holland:  15 Geradus Viguurs, 14 Jay Jay Boske, 13 Jerker Grader, 12 Renier Bester, 11 Ian van der Werf, 10 Bart Viguurs, 9 Chris Williams, 8, 7 Derk Tazelaar, 6 Dirk Kersten, 5 Tim Schumacher, 4 Benjamin Mast, 3 Chris Moeliker, 2 Miquel van der Cruijssen, 1 Allard Jonkers.
Replacements:  16 Wesley Mulder, 17 Arjan Talens, 18 Jente Schuitemaker, 19 Lammert Ruiter, 20 Jeroen van der Loos, 21 Richard van der Broek, 22 Edgar de la Hoz

Referee:  Emil Pirtoc (Rumania)
Touch judges:  Joseph Verhoest (Belgium), Jean-Marie Piraveau (France)

France set for Six Nations glory

Les Bleus weather fine Welsh performance

France look set for Six Nations celebrations after they beat off a commendable effort from Wales to record a 21-16 at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Wales almost put the cat amongst the pigeons with a stunning performance that saw them taking a lead into the final 10 minutes of a pulsating game.

Ireland could yet deny the French a champagne evening in Cardiff but the men in green need to put 34 points past England at Twickenham to clinch the title.

It took 73 minutes for France to take the lead, when a late flash of brilliance from Frédéric Michalak created the opening for Florian Fritz to score under the posts.

Victory meant that only a convincing Ireland win over England at Twickenham would deny France the title -- but the irony is that up until Fritz's score Les Bleus had looked nothing like champions.

A superb try from Hal Luscombe and eight points from the boot of fly-half Stephen Jones earned Wales a deserved 13-6 half-time lead.

France, who had struggled to create anything in the face of some high-pressure defence, hit back through replacement hooker Dimitri Szarzewski but Wales retained their lead until just seven minutes from time.

Defeat was ill-deserved for Wales but after a turbulent season wrecked by injuries, defeats and damaging controversies, home fans head into the summer with their hopes for the future lifted.

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips, in for the injured Dwayne Peel, produced an immense performance on his first start since the autumn, closely followed by the recalled No.8 Alix Popham.

Both men had points to prove -- though to whom is still up in the air with the Welsh Rugby Union to begin a worldwide search for a new head coach on Monday.

But the behind-the-scenes politics was for another day, because today was about pride and Wales showed it in barrel-loads.

With Italy losing to Scotland in Rome, Wales had escaped the ignominy of crashing from Grand Slam champions to wooden spoon chumps in the space of a season.

Perhaps that lifted the pressure somewhat.  Either way, Wales started like a steam train and barely relented for the whole first half.

The French defence strained under the early pressure and conceded a fourth-minute penalty, which Stephen Jones converted from in front of the posts.

France lacked a cutting edge and had to settle for a penalty from Dimitri Yachvili after Ian Gough was spotted holding on at the breakdown.

Wales, in contrast, were attacking France at pace, supporting in numbers and offloading quickly to severely test the blue defence.

Matthew Watkins jinked expertly past French hooker Raphaël Ibañez and offloaded on the angle to Stephen Jones.

Robert Sidoli was tackled off the ball while in support by the retreating Ibanez, who was sin-binned for his efforts.

Wales, back in the lead after Jones landed from the subsequent penalty, made sure they took full advantage of that extra man.

Luscombe escaped down the left wing and slipped a pass inside to Shane Williams, who swerved around Thomas Castaignède.

Williams was scragged just short of the line by Yannick Nyanga but hooked a brilliant one-handed pass back to Luscombe who touched down for his second Test try.

Yachvili slotted a second penalty to make it 13-6 at the interval -- but he did not survive to see the second half as French coach Bernard Laporte introduced Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Cédric Heymans for Castaignède.

France, their title hopes on the line, reacted well and replacement hooker Szarzewski burrowed over in the corner from a lineout.

But Wales retained a narrow lead, thankful that Elissalde's conversion hit the post and both the scrum-half and centre Damien Traille had missed with penalty attempts early in the second period.

Wales had been forced to make half-time changes themselves and although the introduction of Gavin Henson for Lee Byrne received a mixed reaction, the "Tanned One" soon had the Millennium Stadium on their feet with a towering 50-metre penalty.

Wales came within inches of extending their lead further as France again found themselves strangled in the face of some high-pressure defence.

Shane Williams toed the ball into the French try-zone after it squeezed out from a ruck.  Michalak appeared to have dived over the ball and the Wales winger touched down.

But Italian television official Giulio de Santis ruled Michalak had applied downward pressure with his torso and denied Wales the score.

France took full advantage of the escape, surging down the other end.  Fritz scored under the posts and Elissalde's simple conversion took France ahead for the first time in the game.

Phillips refused to give up the ghost and burst through a huge gap at the back of a line-out, but the Cardiff scrum-half did not have the pace to beat Aurelien Rougerie on the outside and the chance of an immediate response went begging.

Elissalde booted France five points clear with a penalty -- but still Wales piled forward and it required a try-saving tackle from Michalak to secure the win after Shane Williams had wriggled past Rougerie.

More to follow...

The scorers:

For Wales:
Try:  Luscombe
Con:  S Jones
Pens:  S Jones 3

For France:
Tries:  Szarzewski, Fritz
Con:  Elissalde
Pens:  Yachvili 2, Elissalde

Yellow cards:  Ibañez (France) -- off-side, 24

The teams:

Wales:  15 Lee Byrne, 14 Dafydd James, 13 Hal Luscombe, 12 Matthew Watkins, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Alix Popham, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Michael Owen (captain), 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Rhys Thomas, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements:  16 Mefin Davies, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Jonathan Thomas, 19 Dafydd Jones, 20 Andy Williams, 21 Nicky Robinson, 22 Gavin Henson.

France:  15 Thomas Castaignede, 14 Aurelien Rougerie, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Christophe Dominici, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Thomas Lievremont, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Yannick Nyanga, 5 Jerome Thion, 4 Fabien Pelous (captain), 3 Pieter de Villiers, 2 Raphael Ibañez, 1 Sylvain Marconnet.
Replacements:  16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Olivier Milloud, 18 Lionel Nallet, 19 Olivier Magne, 20 Jean Baptiste Elissalde, 21 Ludovic Valbon, 22 Cedric Heymans.

Referee:  Chris White (England)
Touch judges:  Tony Spreadbury (England), Donal Courtney (Ireland)
Television match official:  Giulio De Santis (Italy)

Scotland snatch a win in Rome

Last-gasp penalty gives Scots three from five

Scotland and Italy punctuated exciting Six Nations campaigns with a lethargic encounter at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday, with a last-gasp penalty from Chris Paterson handing the visitors a 13-10 victory -- Scotland's first away win for almost four years.

The scores were locked at 10-10 and Italy looked on course to secure a second successive draw when Paterson accepted a chance from 43 metres out with just three minutes remaining.

Scotland's last win in the Six Nations was in Cardiff in 2002 and on their last visit to Rome they crashed to a 20-14 defeat.

But Frank Hadden has revitalised the side since he took over last year and this success on the road comes on the back of famous Murrayfield triumphs over France and England.

Paterson was the hero on the field, not only keeping his cool to kick the last-gasp penalty but also crossing for Scotland's try and adding the conversion, while Gordon Ross dropped a goal just before half-time.

Italy, who took the lead in the sixth minute through Mirco Bergamasco, looked to have salvaged a draw when Ramiro Pez levelled matters midway through the second half.

But they are now consigned to the wooden spoon again despite making progress under new coach Pierre Berbizier this season, including claiming their first ever Six Nations point away from the Eternal City.

Scott Lawson, in for Dougie Hall at the problem position of hooker, started well, an accurate throw securing Scotland possession at the first line-out, but moments later Hugo Southwell's attempted clearance was charged down in his own 22.

Italy had numbers on their left side but a knock-on from Bergamasco ended what could have been a dangerous move.

The Azzurri maintained their early pressure thanks to some clever kicking from Pez, though, and that superiority was rewarded in the sixth minute.

Veteran stand-off Pez's chip over the top was collected by Bergamasco and he crashed over from close range, the Perpignan number 10 adding the simple conversion.

Scotland were dealt another early blow when Chris Cusiter was forced off with a shoulder injury -- his recall lasting less than 10 minutes -- to be replaced by Mike Blair.

The Edinburgh scrum-half was immediately involved, darting from the base of a ruck to be held up just short but, after a tremendous clean-out by Nathan Hines, Paterson picked up and dived over.

Paterson added the extras to draw his side level and moments later the Edinburgh winger was bundled into touch a couple of yards short of a second try after a terrific move down the left with Sean Lamont.

Like Cusiter, Cristian Stoica's return to the side was brief as the veteran Montpellier back hobbled off after 20 minutes to be replaced by Parma's Ezio Galon.

Scotland were certainly on the offensive for the second part of the first half but some unforced errors -- notably a knock-on from Jason White -- hampered their efforts to seize the lead.

In the final seconds of the half the visitors did take the lead when Ross dropped a goal from just 15 yards to edge his side ahead at the interval.

Scotland started the second period extremely sloppily, first allowing a ball to bounce in their own 22 which should have been swallowed up and then Lamont almost gifting the home side a try.

The Northampton winger attempted to flick the ball back to Blair just inside his 22 but Pablo Canavosio got to it first and only a fine tackle from Lamont and the ball being knocked forward as the Italy flyer tried to pass to Pez preserved Scotland's lead.

Berbizier freshened up his pack within 15 minutes of the second period as Andrea Lo Cicero and Alessandro Zanni entered the fray and Hadden responded by bringing prop Craig Smith on for Bruce Douglas.

Scotland immediately conceded a penalty for an infringement in the scrum, with Lawson looking the guilty party, and Pez made no mistake to draw his side level.

Italy sensed another victory in Rome over Scotland and Berbizier sent Carlo Festuccia on instead of Fabio Ongaro to further fire the front front-row battle, as well as lock Carlo Antonio Del Fava.

Hadden replaced Ross, who had done little wrong, with Parks.  And the Scotland coach also substituted Scott Murray, equalling Gordon Bulloch as his country's most capped forward with 75, with Alastair Kellock.

Italy were looking the more likely to claim the lead and it took splendid scrambling defence from the Scots -- notably from Hines -- to keep an aggressive Bergamasco run at bay.

That move had come from a loose Lamont pass and it was clearly one too many for Hadden's liking as he immediately replaced him with Simon Webster.

A big hit from White caused a turnover for Scotland in the 76th minute and Italy were penalised as they tried to retrieve possession.

Paterson stepped up and from just inside the home side's half kicked Scotland to victory with little over two minutes remaining.

Man of the match:  Italy centre Mirco Bergamasco confirmed what we have come to believe -- that's he is the "find" of the Six Nations.  Sergio Parisse and Paul Griffen also did well for the home side.  Chris Paterson looked lively when he popped up at fly-half (hint, hint!) but our award goes to Hugo Southwell who had his best game of a good championship and proved to be an absolute rock under the high ball.

Moment of the match:  A few notable breaks from both sides but this game won't live long in the memory.  The passionate home support was superb -- how the crave more wins -- but the most poignant moment was the full-time whistle and the look of relief on Scottish faces as they realised that their long search for a win on the road was over.

Villain of the match:  Poor old Sean Lamont had an absolute shocker, but he's a great player and we can't hand him this hideous gong for one bad day at the office.  No award.

The scorers:

For Scotland:
Try:  Bergamasco
Con:  Pez
Pen:  Pez

For Scotland:
Try:  Paterson
Con:  Paterson
Pen:  Paterson
Drop:  Ross

The teams:

Italy:  15 Cristian Stoica, 14 Pablo Canavosio, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Mirco Bergamasco, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 Ramiro Pez, 9 Paul Griffen, 8 Josh Sole, 7 Maurizio Zaffiri, 6 Sergio Parisse, 5 Marco Bortolami (captain), 4 Santiago Dellapè, 3 Martín Castrogiovanni, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements:  16 Carlo Festuccia, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18 Carlo Del Fava, 19 Alessandro Zanni, 20 Simon Picone, 21 Rima Wakarua, 22 Ezio Galon.

Scotland:  15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Chris Paterson, 13 Marcus di Rollo, 12 Andy Henderson, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Allister Hogg, 6 Jason White (captain), 5 Scott Murray, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Bruce Douglas, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Gavin Kerr.
Replacements:  16 Dougie Hall, 17 Craig Smith, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 Jon Petrie, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Dan Parks, 22 Stuart Webster.

Referee:  Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges:  Alan Lewis (Ireland), Nigel Owens (Wales)
Television match official:  Christophe Berdos (France)

Ireland grab the Triple Crown

Horgan's last-second try snatches a thriller for Ireland at Twickenham

Ireland took the inaugural Triple Crown trophy with a epic 28-24 Six Nations victory over England on Saturday, sealed with try by wing Shane Horgan two minutes from time.

In a thrilling match the lead changed hands four times before the video referee ruled Horgan's late stretch for the line in-goal and not in touch.  Andy Goode's flawless second-half kicking display looked to have stolen the spoils for the home team when he landed his fourth penalty to make it 24-21 with seven minutes to go, but it was not to be.

England finish fourth, with a host of questions unanswered and a number of heads likely to be on the Twickenham chopping block in the coming weeks.  Ireland appear to have emerged from their November slump, and are building well ahead of the looming 2007 Rugby World Cup.

It was a fitting finale to this tournament.  Not perfect in terms of pure quality, but with a competitive edge, and ebb and flow of momentum, that kept all observers in thrall right up until the final twists in the tale.

It also contained a bitter aftertaste of officiating controversy for England, who will be judged on the criminal virtues of international defeat but will point in shallow mitigation at the television replay which clearly showed Shane Horgan's first try to be invalid, the ball scuffing the touchline before Horgan hacked ahead into the in-goal area.

Then there is the replay which showed Ben Cohen's quick line-out to be valid in the 58th minute.  The touch-judge ruled it invalid, and England were forced to throw again.  From that line-out, Denis Leamy pounced for Ireland's second try.

That mitigation will be shallow indeed though, for the English had many chances to kill the game off, and were helped to no small extent by referee Nigel Whitehouse, whose exemplary policing of the breakdown ensured all ball that should have been quick was quick.  England frequently had the platform from which to do their stuff.  All too frequently they stuffed it up, either figuratively by making mistakes, or literally, up their shirts when men were free.

In the cold light of day, there will be plusses for England to look at.  The team was unquestionably a hundred per cent better than the limp lot that folded like so many crêpes last week in Paris.

The scrum was formidable, and harried five penalties out of the Irish scrum.  The forwards, in the second half especially, built up heads of steam and sequences of possession that would have yielded tries in most games.

Mike Tindall ran with purpose and speed, as did Stuart Abbott, who made several threatening thrusts.  Lee Mears translated flashes of his club form up to the higher level on his first Six Nations start, and Andy Sheridan's work-rate was noticeably higher than it had previously been.

Ireland's hour of glory -- fittingly on St. Patrick's Day weekend -- is richly deserved, irrespective of the slices of fortune they feasted upon.  Their game, which unravelled completely for fifty minutes in Paris, has come fully together again.

In the first half especially, the defenders attached themselves to every English runner like iron lumps to a magnet.  They won eight penalties in that first half, and turned over the ball five times in open play.  The open stuff was not so impressive in the second half, but the form of attack had changed:  England lost well over half of their line-outs in the second half, including the one that led to Leamy's try.

In attack, Geordan Murphy gave a sublime display of running lines and adventure, while Shane Horgan underpinned it with the work-rate of an industrial motor.  Up front, the loose trio of David Wallace, Simon Easterby and Denis Leamy was magnificent.  Only in the front row was there a weakness to be found, but hooker Jerry Flannery in particular made up for that in the loose.

It all started so brightly for the home team.  Paul O'Connell missed the kick-off, and the ball bounced loose.  A scrum ensued at which the Irish front row was penalised for binding issues.  Harry Ellis tapped and spun the ball wide, and Jamie Noon bulldozed his opposite number for the opening score after 74 seconds.

Goode missed that conversion, and missed two other kicks in the half as he struggled to find his rhythm.  By the time he had missed his second, England were 8-5 behind, courtesy of an O'Gara penalty and the first Horgan try, which will have English fans fuming tomorrow.

O'Gara kicked from open play and the ball went towards Ben Cohen.  Whatever Cohen's intentions were, they did not include catching the ball, and he let the ball bounce past him before springing into action and slipping on the loose turf.  Horgan skipped past him and hacked the ball ahead.  Touch-judge Rob Dickson's flag shot up to head height, and then ducked back down behind his back just as quickly, as Horgan dived on the loose ball for the try.  Television replays clearly showed the ball touching the line.  But then, if Cohen had done something, anything, in fact, beyond standing as though petrified, Horgan could never have even got to the ball.  Who is really to blame?

Cohen had a miserable first half, and it is to his credit that he later turned things around.  On 25 minutes, with Ireland now 8-5 ahead, he scrambled to secure another regulation high ball, and then hoisted an extraordinary kick into space where only Irish runners were lurking.  Ireland forced two penalties as a result, and should have taken three points.  Instead they went for a tap, and England turned over and cleared.

Ireland did make it 11-5 on 32 minutes, for a trip on Stringer by Simon Shaw, who was sin-binned for his efforts.  From the restart, Simon Easterby obstructed the chasers, and Goode made it 11-8.

Ireland had two more clear chances to extend the lead before the break, first Gordon D'Arcy over-ran Brian O'Driscoll on the overlap, and then Flannery popped up in the line outside O'Driscoll with the speed of a greyhound but the co-ordination of a baby Llama.  11-8 it stayed until the break.

Goode and O'Gara swapped two further penalties in the opening two minutes of the second half, but now was England's best period.  Between minutes 45 and 53 they laid siege to Ireland's 22, using a mixture of their wrecking-ball forward running and the crowbar-like openings created by Abbott, Cohen and Tom Voyce.  Eventually Steve Borthwick popped up on a Tindall-like angle and broke through to go under the posts, making it 18-14.

Whatever England gained by hammering away, Ireland clawed back through the line-outs.  While England dominated the third quarter, they lost every single line-out bar one.  From one, David Wallace broke to make some 50m before England turned over and cleared to touch.

Ireland were then gifted the lead back.  The maligned Cohen chased back an O'Gara kick, which bounced into touch five metres from the England line.  Cohen took the ball, and took a quick line-out to himself, but the touch-judge ruled he had stepped onto the pitch, television replays once again showing otherwise.  The throw was ordered again.  Nobody jumped for Mears's throw though, an unforgivable error, and Leamy took the ball at the back and sprung over the line, with O'Gara making it 21-18.

Still England bashed and bashed, but Ireland closed up superbly, and once again England's reluctance to look outside proved costly on a couple of occasions -- not least when Lewis Moody had Mark Cueto screaming for the ball outside him, yet chose to run diagonally until all Cueto's space had been eaten up before giving Cueto the ball.  Horgan put Cueto ineffectually into touch, and O'Gara cleared from the line-out.

But a high tackle on Goode by Easterby -- for which he was sin-binned -- and an errant Irish hand at a ruck gave Goode two penalties to slot, and England led 24-21 with six minutes to go.  The doors of the jail were open.

Then they were slammed firmly shut again by a piece of magic.  O'Gara's chip bounced away from Cohen -- who was more unlucky than culpable this time -- and O'Driscoll took the ball at pace.  He timed his pass to Horgan superbly, but Horgan was tackled 7m short of the line magnificently by Moody.  Ireland ran the ball inside for two phases, before O'Driscoll once again found Horgan with Moody breathing down his neck.  Same pair, same corner, same situation, but this time the Irishman stretched out an arm and plonked the ball on the line like an empirical flag on new-found territory.

O'Gara converted, and officials began tying green ribbons on that sparkly new Triple Crown trophy.

Man of the match:  For England, Andy Goode and Martin Corry stood out for distribution and work-rate respectively, and Lee Mears added extra dimenisons to hooker play.  For Ireland, Shane Horgan was superb with the ball in hand, as was Geordan Murphy.  the loose trio were instrumental in frustrating england at key moments.  Those five are all tied for the runner-up spot, but for a spot of work well above the expected level:  namely the try-saving tackle on a flying winger with a minute left on the clock, Lewis Moody gets himself a nose in front of the rest and wins our award for man of the match.  Referee Nigel Whitehouse should also be mentioned for an excellent performance.

Moment of the match:  Would have been the try, but it was ruined by the need for the video referee.  So Lewis Moody's try-saving tackle gets the nod.

Villain of the match:  Could have been the touch-judges who made the crucial mistakes, but something even more unpleasant happened on the pitch, when Jerry Flannery's hands flew to his face in horror at a playground slap from Matt Dawson.  Listen carefully:  Rugby -- players -- do -- not -- fake -- injury.

The scorers:

For England:
Tries:  Noon, Borthwick
Con:  Goode
Pens:  Goode 4

For Ireland:
Tries:  Horgan 2, Leamy
Con:  O'Gara 2
Pens:  O'Gara 3

The teams:

England:  15 Tom Voyce, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Stuart Abbott, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Martin Corry, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Simon Shaw, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Julian White, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Andy Sheridan.
Replacements:  16 Steve Thompson, 17 Perry Freshwater, 18 Danny Grewcock, 19 Lawrence Dallaglio, 20 Matt Dawson, 21 Dave Walder, 22 Mike Tindall.

Ireland:  15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Malcolm O'Kelly, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements:  16 Rory Best, 17 Simon Best, 18 Donnacha O'Callaghan, 19 Johnny O'Connor, 20 Eion Reddan, 20 David Humphreys, 21 Girvan Dempsey.

Referee:  Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Touch judges:  Nigel Owens (Wales), Rob Dickson (Scotland)
Television match official:  Huw Watkins (Wales)